Hunters and Collectors
Disclaimer: CBS owns CSI
A/N Will Catherine die or she already dead?
Chapter 12
Jim Brass was on scene with SWAT, heavily armed police all wearing bullet proof vests, ambulance paramedics and the remains of the CSI team, which consisted of Grissom, Warrick and Greg. They intended to storm the building and work their way quickly and quietly through all rooms and the order to shoot to kill was given prior to entry. It was sanctioned as high up as the Governor. These three had taken down three colleagues and now a fourth, while a CSIs aren't cops, they wear a badge, a gun and help put away the bad guys, so they were all LVPD colleagues.
All police wore headsets for better communications, especially when clearing a room, then they only had to whisper 'clear' and move on rather than yell.
Entry had to be gained quietly and so the door's lock was picked expertly and the entire troop entered into the first level, the truck garage. It was cleared and the police split into groups to search each room and work upwards, quickly and quietly. They first came upon George, sitting and relaxing, enjoying some pizza and a beer. They got him from behind, alive, cuffed and silenced they dragged him out which was a pity as they all wanted to shoot him. Downstairs from there they found the cool room and some evidence that Catherine had been there, namely the rope from around her ankles. She was in the building then, and must be upstairs somewhere.
"Every man freeze and listen for sounds or voices," Brass' voice came over their headsets. They all stopped and listened and they heard it, laughter almost hysterical from over on the right, down the hall way.
"Prepare to shoot on sight when you get a good shot lined up, don't shoot the CSI."
The SWAT squad leader stood outside the door ready to go in, his squad with lazer sights aiming for a target. He whispered 'GO' and they broke through the door.
Heather and Nicola were both startled by the rapid intrusion and spun around looking at the door and were both met by bullets between their eyes. No words were spoken, only the squad leader declared the scene Code 4 but an urgent call to paramedics. "Right everyone outside with the exception of you Johnson, please tend to CSI Willows until the paramedics arrive." Johnson was the only female SWAT team member, she put down her weapon and knelt beside Catherine, who was now unconscious and bleeding from numerous cuts and wounds. Johnson took out her knife and cut the ropes binding Catherine's arms, and removed the tape from her mouth hearing a sharp intake of breath, apart from that all she could do is sit and hold her hand and talk to her, telling she was now safe, she'd soon be in hospital.
Next came the paramedics, at first not at all sure where to start, her pulse was incredibly weak, breathing was ragged and shallow, the rapier sticking out of her shoulder presented it's own problems, they couldn't remove it, yet it was too big to transport, plus it was pinning her to the floor. They had no choice but to pull it out forcibly, this they did and fortunately the wound didn't bleed too much. Things progressed quickly from there, legs were splinted, as was the arm, the bleeding wounds were packed and bandaged, other broken bones were left for now, she was intubated for easier breathing and all the time Johnson held her hand, reassuring the unconscious woman. Finally the paramedics finished as much as they could and loaded Catherine into the ambulance, a police escort surrounding it, it sped off to Desert Palm hospital. Time was against Catherine Willows, but she was still alive when they got her to hospital.
Grissom, Greg and Warrick processed the scenes, the truck itself proved to be a bonanza, all the looted artefacts from Sir Charles' place were in the back along with myriads of fingerprints from all three suspects and Catherine. The rest of the building especially the bedroom was like a horror house, blood everywhere, Catherine's blood. The team took what they could and waited for Super Dave to come and collect the two dead suspects. Slowly they wrapped up the evidence and retreated back to the lab, logged everything and headed to the hospital. Now Grissom had half his team down, Sofia down as well, although Sara and Sofia were due out of hospital and back to work in a week.
Nick's injuries weren't as bad as first thought, some surgery to his musculature and he'd be fine, his internal organs were all fine, he also seemed reluctant to stay in hospital but decided he'd play guardian over Catherine from his wheelchair. Her prognosis, unsure yet, she was still in surgery but at last reports she was still alive, that was the one shred of hope any of them had left. One nurse came out handing Grissom a rape kit which was duly dispatched to the lab via Greg, with an URGENT marked on it. Grissom made this top priority.
Eight long hours later a very tired looking surgeon appeared in the waiting room.
"Family of Catherine Willows?"
Lindsey and her grandmother stepped forward and indicated that the team were also regarded as family.
"Ms Willows is currently in a critical condition in ICU, the surgery was not without it's complications, three times she had to be revived, her list of injuries reads like a medical dictionary. Two fractures of both femurs, fractures to both tibia and fibula in both legs, 3 broken ribs on her left side, 2 on her right, fractures to left humerus and ulna, a dislocated shoulder wound involving a through puncture with a thin sharp blade, lots of other small cuts made with a blade and bruising all over, one punctured lung and a lacerated liver, finally some nasty bruising on her face, one black eye and one heavy hit to the back of the head, possibly from a boot or shoe. Currently she is in a coma and we don't know for sure when she will come out of it. Immediate family only may sit with her and talk to her, but she needs time to heal.
"Lindsey you should go in and sit with her, unless you need someone with you," said Grissom.
"I'd like you to be there Uncle Gil, but they said only immediate family."
"In that regard I think I can count since I'm your 'uncle' right now eh? Let's go see her together."
A/N Poor Lindsey, at least her mom is alive.
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